Footwear tread having cleats with sipes

ABSTRACT

A tread system for footwear. The tread combination is designed to reduce accidents in an indoor or outdoor environment that includes slip and fall causing materials, such as surfaces containing snow, water, or combinations thereof. The system includes an outsole having tread members configured for squeegeeing and channeling liquid away from the center portion of the tread to prevent forward slippage. Accordingly, the treading is designed to displace a liquid on a surface so that other portions of the tread can grip directly to that surface.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. Design Application No. 29/660,891, filed Aug. 23, 2018; entitled “FOOTWEAR TREAD”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to footwear; to shoes which are designed to reduce accidents related to slip and fall; and more particularly, to shoes having a tread pattern suitable for providing traction in snow covered environments, and for preventing slip and fall accidents on surfaces containing a pool of liquid, such as water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A shoe is an item of footwear intended to protect and comfort the human foot while doing various activities. Shoes are also used as an item of decoration. The design of shoes has varied enormously through time and from culture to culture, with appearance originally being tied to function. Additionally, fashion has often dictated many design elements, such as whether shoes have very high heels or wide flat ones. Contemporary footwear varies widely in style, complexity and cost. Basic sandals may consist of only a thin sole and simple strap. High fashion shoes may be made of very expensive materials in complex construction and sell for thousands of dollars a pair. Other shoes are for very specific purposes, such as boots or shoes specially designed for workers or heavy outdoor use.

A boot is a special type of footwear which covers the foot and the ankle and can extend partially up the leg, sometimes as far as the knee or even the hip. Most boots have a heel that is clearly distinguishable from the rest of the sole, even if the two are made of one piece. They are typically made of leather or rubber like material, although they may be made from a variety of different materials. Boots are worn for their functionality for protecting the feet and legs from water, snow, mud or hazards, providing additional ankle support for strenuous activities or providing traction to a particular type of surface, as well as for reasons of style and fashion. Boots are designed to withstand heavy wear to protect the wearer. They are generally made from sturdy leather uppers and non-leather outsoles. They may be used for uniforms of the police or military, as well as for protection in industrial settings such as mining and construction. Protective features may include steel-tipped toes, soles or ankle guards, and nonslip outsoles for interaction with slick surfaces.

Traction or grip to a ground or surface is beneficial for a shoe or boot to provide user safety, whether indoors or outdoors, dry or covered with slippery materials, such as snow. Individuals walking in cold weather areas may potentially face surfaces covered with snow, melted snow, or a combination thereof. Such terrains provide an increased risk of slip and fall accidents over typical surfaces associated with hot and dry surfaces. Using spiked treading to maintain traction when moving about on snow covered surfaces may provide some user stability. However, spiked treading may not be practical when transitioning from an outdoor, snow covered surface to indoor, non-snow covered surfaces. Once inside and away from the snow, spiked treads actually increase the likelihood of falling. Moreover, surfaces that contain mixtures of snow and water still remain potential slip and fall risks, even if the user utilizes shoes with spiked treading. Thus, what is needed is a footwear outsole that can be utilized with a wide variety of footwear types which will minimize or prevent slip and falls accidents whenever snow, or liquid covered surfaces are encountered.

Many different shoe soles have been proposed to prevent an individual from slipping. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,717,943, the sole of a boot or overshoe is made from rubber and includes fins and grooves. The fins cooperate with the grooves to trap air within the grooves. The air facilitates the self-cleaning feature of the boots, which removes mud and other substances from the soles of the boots.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,116 discloses a tread for a sport shoe which includes a sole having projections extending outwardly from a tread surface. The tread includes a one-piece, thin walled, metal part with at least two separate, dimensionally reinforced surface sections bearing the integrally molded projections. The reinforced surface includes a plurality of embossed, smooth-surfaced and beveled projections. The metal part is fixedly secured to an inner surface of the shoe sole by either a thin wire grid embedded in the synthetic resin sole or uniformly distributed perforations.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,211 discloses a shoe sole made of flexible rubber material with a non-slip profile. The sole includes a plurality of variously sized projections or layered elements. The elements include surfaces which are made from materials that are slip resistant. In addition to being slip resistant, the structure and spacing of the projections prevents the accumulation of mud and other debris on the soles of the shoes.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,455,765 discloses a sport shoe sole that possesses a high coefficient of friction along certain portions of the outsole, while other portions of the outsole are formed of a compressible and resilient material that is harder than the material of the rest of the outsole.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,047,672 discloses a shoe sole which is designed to be used on a sand surface. The outsole is made from a compressed material having an upper surface and a lower surface. A peripheral lip projects downwardly from the lower surface of the outsole. A plurality of fins also project downwardly from the lower surface. This type of construction enables efficient propulsion in sandy environments.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0188132 discloses a slip resistant shoe outsole which includes a plurality of ground contacting projections. The ground contacting projections are V-shaped and are spaced from one another by a predetermined distance in a longitudinal direction of the outsole of the shoe. The V-shaped projections also include reinforcements at their base. The projections are made from an elastomeric polymer with a specific JIS-A hardness. This material increases the shoe's ability to resist slipping, and the shape of the projections increases their resistance to avoid bending and deformation.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,703,221 discloses an outsole assembly for a shoe which includes a flexible base having an underside surface which includes a forward region, a rearward region, and an intermediate region therebetween. The outsole includes a plurality of individual outsole elements on the underside thereof. Each element includes a body portion and a connecting section which is operatively secured to the underside surface of the flexible base. The outsole elements are arranged on the underside surface of the flexible base such that adjacent outsole elements have overlapping sections.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,322,050, to the present Assignee, discloses a slip resistant outsole that includes chevron shaped treads for channeling water and grease away from the ground engaging treads.

U.S. Patent Application Publication 2015/0128455, published May 14, 2015, and assigned to the current Assignee, discloses a slip resistant outsole that utilizes a squeegee effect and flow channels to improve traction on wet flooring.

What is needed is a shoe outsole, suitable for use on a wide variety of footwear, that is configured to provide traction in outdoor environments, as well as preventing or minimizing slip and fall accidents on indoor or outdoor surfaces containing a pool of a liquid. Thus, the present invention provides for indoor and outdoor surfaces footwear treading utilizing cleats with sipes that benefit individuals walking or working in an environment more likely to result in injury, such as on surfaces covered with snow, water, or combinations thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for footwear, such as a shoe, designed to reduce accidents in an indoor or outdoor environment that includes slip and fall causing materials, such as surfaces containing snow, water, or combinations thereof. While exemplified as a shoe, footwear in accordance with the present invention may also include boots, sandals and other forms of foot protection and comfort devices, whether for work, pleasure, or use in sporting events or exercise. The outsole, having tread members, is configured for squeegeeing and channeling liquid away from the center portion of the tread to prevent forward slippage. Accordingly, the treading is designed to displace a pooled liquid on a surface so that other portions of the tread can grip directly to the surface.

The footwear includes an outsole having tread members configured for squeegeeing and channeling liquid away from the center portion of the tread to prevent forward slippage.

In one illustrative embodiment, slip-resistant tread for a shoe outsole comprises a plurality of cleat members configured to maintain traction when engaging a surface covered with snow, said plurality of cleat members positioned on at least a portion of a heel area of a shoe outsole and at least a portion of a forefoot portion of said shoe outsole; each of said plurality of cleat members comprising a plurality of individual segments separated by a sipe or siping groove and configured to move a liquid in a direction away from a center area of said cleat member.

In another embodiment, a shoe having an outsole with a slip-resistant tread comprises an outsole comprising a plurality of tread members configured to maintain traction when engaging a surface covered with snow, said plurality of tread members positioned on at least a portion of a heel area of said outsole and at least a portion of a forefoot portion of said outsole; each of said plurality of tread members comprising a plurality of individual cleat segments configured for providing interaction with a surface or moving a liquid away from said contact surface of the tread or said surface; and an upper portion configured for covering at least a portion of a foot.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the invention to provide for footwear designed to reduce slip and fall type accidents.

It is a further objective of the invention to provide a slip-resistant tread for shoe outsoles.

It is yet another objective of the invention to provide a tread pattern for shoe outsoles suitable for providing traction in snow covered environments.

It is a still further objective of the invention to provide a tread pattern for shoe outsoles suitable for preventing slip and fall accidents on surfaces containing a pool of liquid, such as water.

It is a further objective of the invention to provide a tread pattern for shoe outsoles suitable for providing traction in snow covered environments, and for preventing slip and fall accidents on surface containing a pool of liquid, such as water.

It is a further objective of the invention to provide a shoe having outsoles containing a slip-resistant tread pattern.

It is yet another objective of the invention to provide a shoe having outsoles containing a slip-resistant tread pattern suitable for providing traction in snow covered environments.

It is a still further objective of the invention to provide a shoe having outsoles containing a slip-resistant tread pattern suitable for preventing slip and fall accidents on surfaces containing a pool of liquid, such as water.

It is a further objective of the invention to provide a shoe having outsoles containing slip-resistant tread pattern outsoles suitable for providing traction in snow covered environments, and for preventing slip and fall accidents on surfaces containing a pool of liquid, such as water.

Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification, include exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a tread pattern for footwear;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the treads of the heel area and the forefoot area;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an illustrative portion of a single tread member of the tread pattern with cleat;

FIG. 5A is a left-side view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 5B is a right-side view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6A is a front view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6B is a back view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred, albeit not limiting, embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a tread pattern 100 for a slip resistant footwear, illustrated herein as a shoe 10, is shown. The slip resistant shoe 10 comprises an outsole 12 having the tread pattern 100 on at least a portion of the heel area 14 of the shoe outsole 12, and on at least a portion of a forefoot portion 16 of the shoe outsole 12. The outsole 12 is secured to an upper portion 17. The upper portion 17 is configured for covering at least a portion of a foot. The portions of the tread pattern 100 positioned at the heel area 14 or the forefront portion 16 provide traction to the user to reduce the risk of slips and falls. In accordance with the present invention, the tread pattern 100 is configured to provide a wearer with the capability of maintaining traction as the user navigates surfaces covered with snow. In addition, the tread pattern 100 is designed to prevent a slip and fall related injury resulting from a user encountering a liquid, such as water, sitting on a surface. Surfaces having a thin layer of water increase the risk of slip and fall, as such surfaces are extremely slippery because the thin layer of water forms between the surface and what touches it, i.e. the shoe outsole. In use, the tread pattern 100 allows for at least one or two portions of the tread to act as a squeegee to move water out, thereby allowing at least other portions of the tread to grip the surface.

The mid portion 18 of the outsole 12 may be free of the tread pattern 100. Alternatively, the mid portion 18 may contain secondary treading configurations 20. The outsole 12 is integrally formed to or fastened to the upper 17 using a chemical or mechanical fastening mechanism, such as glue or stitching. The upper 17 may be made of a material configured to cover, either partially or completely, a portion of a user's foot.

The tread pattern 100 comprises a plurality of individual tread members, referred to generally as anti-slip tread member 102. The tread members 102 are preferably arranged in a generally parallel orientation relative to a longitudinal axis 21 (see FIG. 2) associated with an outsole of a shoe, thereby forming a pattern of rows 22A and columns 22B about the outsole 12. Such arrangement of the anti-slip tread members about the outsole 12 further provides for the formation of channels 25 sized and shaped to direct the movement of a liquid therein. Each tread member 102 may be made of a solid material, see FIG. 8, that can dig down and bite into snow. A soft rubber that does not freeze and retains flexibility in cold weather may be used.

The channels 25 extend to the bottom surface 27 of the outsole 12, the channels being about one eighth of an inch in width. Preferably, the anti-slip tread members 102 are integrally formed to the shoe outsole 12. Alternatively, the anti-slip tread members 102 may be formed separately, for example, by way of a suitable molding process, and secured, such as through the use of chemical fastening, directly to the shoe outsole 102. Each anti-slip tread member 102 contains a main body portion 104 having a plurality of opposing side portions 106 and 108, and two opposing end portions 110 and 112, see FIGS. 4-6B. The main body portion 104 comprises a plurality of cleat members 114 integrally formed thereto. Each of the cleat members 114 is separated by sipes 116, also referred to herein as siping grooves 116, and having a planar contact surface 118. The siping may be, for example, one sixty-fourth of an inch wide and about half the height of the second treads in depth. Each sipe or siping groove 116 forms a generally linear pathway through the main body 104, extending the entire length from the first side portion 106 to the second side portion 108. Each siping groove 116 is orientated to run generally perpendicular to side portion 106 or side portion 108. Except for the two cleats (designated as 114A and 114B shown in FIG. 5A for illustrative purposes) at the end portions of the main body portion 104, each interior cleat 114 may have two siping grooves 116, each running in the same directional orientation and separating adjacent cleats 114.

Each cleat member 114 is arranged in the same direction relative to the outsole 12, so that the planar contact surface 118 is a single, uninterrupted body running from the first side portion 106 and extending to the second side portion 108. In an illustrative example, the planar contact surface 118 assumes a generally rectangular shape. Preferably, each cleat member 114 is arranged to comprise its corresponding planar contact surface 118 being orientated next to adjacent cleat members so that each anti-slip tread member 102 comprises multiple, consecutively and serially arranged contact surfaces 118. In this arrangement, each cleat member 114 would then form a generally planar, flat surface for contact with an outdoor or indoor surface, i.e. the ground.

In a preferred embodiment, the main body portion 104 includes five substantially equally sized and shaped cleat members 114 and four substantially equally sized and orientated siping grooves 116. In any embodiment, in use, the anti-slip tread member 102 is configured to allow at least a portion, i.e. one or more planar contact surfaces 118, to move pooled liquid, i.e. water, on a surface. At least a second portion, i.e. other planar contact surfaces 118, can act as a gripping surface as the water is routed or squeegeed off to the sides. Since the planar contact surfaces 118 are arranged in a serial or consecutive manner, if the first planar surface 118 is unable to move or route, similar to acting as a squeegee, the entire amount of water, the next one or two (or any number of additional) planar surfaces 118 may do so. Eventually, the water will be removed and one or two of the serially arranged planar surfaces 118 can act as the gripping surface, free of contact with any water. To aid in the removal of water on the surface, the sipes or siping grooves 116 are designed to allow for water to be channeled into the channels 25 and away from the center area of the outsole 12.

All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A slip-resistant tread for a shoe outsole comprising: a plurality of cleat members configured to maintain traction when engaging a surface covered with snow or water, said plurality of cleat members positioned on at least a portion of a heel area of a shoe outsole and at least a portion of a forefoot portion of said shoe outsole; each of said plurality of cleat members comprising a plurality of individual segments separated by a siping groove and configured to move a liquid in a direction away from a center area of said cleat member.
 2. The slip-resistant tread for a shoe outsole according to claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of individual segments is substantially identical in shape and size.
 3. The slip-resistant tread for a shoe outsole according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of cleat members further comprise at least three individual and consecutively (serially) arranged segments, each said individual segment being separated from an adjacent said individual segment by at least one siping groove.
 4. The slip-resistant tread for a shoe outsole according to claim 3 wherein said at least one siping groove is sized to extend from one sided portion of said cleat member to a second, opposing side portion of said cleat member.
 5. The slip-resistant tread for a shoe outsole according to claim 1 further including a plurality of channels.
 6. The slip-resistant tread for a shoe outsole according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of cleat members are arranged in a generally parallel orientation relative to a longitudinal axis associated with an outsole of a shoe.
 7. The slip-resistant tread for a shoe outsole according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of cleat members further comprise at least five individual, like-shaped and consecutively arranged segments, and at least four siping grooves.
 8. The slip-resistant tread combination of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of cleat members is constructed from the same material as said outsole.
 9. The slip-resistant tread combination of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of cleat members is integrally formed to the outsole.
 10. A shoe having an outsole with a slip-resistant tread comprising: an outsole comprising a plurality of tread members configured to maintain traction when engaging a surface covered with snow or water, said plurality of tread members positioned on at least a portion of a heel area of said outsole and at least a portion of a forefoot portion of said outsole; each of said plurality of tread members comprising a plurality of individual cleat segments configured for providing interaction with a surface or moving a liquid away from said contact surface of said tread member or said surface; and an upper portion configured for covering at least a portion of a foot.
 11. The shoe having an outsole with a slip-resistant tread according to claim 10 wherein each of said plurality of individual cleat segments are substantially identical in shape and size.
 12. The shoe having an outsole with a slip-resistant tread according to claim 10 wherein each of said plurality of tread members comprises at least three individual and consecutively arranged cleat segments, each said individual cleat segment being separated from an adjacent said individual cleat segment by at least one siping groove.
 13. The shoe having an outsole with a slip-resistant tread according to claim 12 wherein said at least one siping groove is sized to extend from one sided portion of said tread member to a second, opposing side portion of said tread member.
 14. The shoe having an outsole with a slip-resistant tread according to claim 10 further including a plurality of channels.
 15. The shoe having an outsole with a slip-resistant tread according to claim 10 wherein each of said plurality of tread members are arranged in a generally parallel orientation relative to a longitudinal axis associated with an outsole of a shoe.
 16. The shoe having an outsole with a slip-resistant tread according to claim 10 wherein each of said plurality of tread members further comprises at least five individual, like-shaped and consecutively arranged cleat segments, and at least four siping grooves.
 17. The shoe having an outsole with a slip-resistant tread according to claim 10 wherein said siping grooves are configured to move a liquid in a direction away from a center area of said cleat member.
 18. The shoe having an outsole with a slip-resistant tread according to claim 10 wherein each of said plurality of tread members is constructed from the same material as said outsole. 